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| Hines finished second at the AAA State CC Championships in 2004. (Brian Keck photo) |
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Full Name: Amber Joye Hines Date of Birth: November 26, 1986 Academic Interest: Biology and Spanish major, Veterinarian career Hobbies: READING anything, especially Christian fiction when I have time(which isn't very often with schoolwork), road races Event PR's: 5k-18:56, 1600m-5:30, 3200m-11:41, 800m-2:31, 10k-40:10 Brother/sisters: Tommy, he's 21 and attending the University of South Carolina. I act as his personal punching bag on occasion. We enjoy play fighting because my mom hates it...he, he. |
scrunners: When did you start to run?
hines: I ran a little bit (and I mean a little bit) in the sixth grade at Crossroads Middle School in Irmo. They had a quasi track program where the kids came after school to run a mile or so. I began serious running the summer before seventh grade.
scrunners: Do you remember your first race? How old were you and how did you do?
hines: My first race ever was the Irmo Dam Run 10k in the sixth grade. My dad conned me into running that race. I thought it was going to be an easy race. Um...no. At least I beat my brother. He made several excuses.
scrunners: What made you decide or whom to start running?
hines: My dad, George Hines, was always running. I went with my family to some of the races. I ran off and on. In sixth grade I became much more interested. I began to run with my dad and have been running with him ever since (even though he can beat me in distance races). He inspired me to continue my running career.
scrunners: When did you join Chapin's team?
hines: After the quasi track team at Crossroads, I began to run almost everyday. We moved to Chapin the summer before seventh grade. I found out that they had Cross Country, so I wanted to join. Everyday from the beginning of school in the seventh grade, I bugged my gym coach to contact Coach (Jack) LeGrand to get me on the team. Eventually my incessant prodding got me on the team. I started practice the day before a meet. I didn't know anyone, and I was quite nervous. I started off running with Coach Nutt at the back of the pack, but she sent me on and I began to pass people. Everyone thought I was crazy to run so fast. They still think so.
scrunners: Does or did anyone else in your family run?
hines: My dad runs constantly. I generally run with him. Our devotion to the sport inspired my mom to run some. She is limited in what she can do because of past injuries, but she runs as much as she can. My brother runs off and on to stay fit for the Marine PFT.
scrunners: With a second place finish at the State Championships on Nov. 6, how do you feel about your performance and the team's third place finish?
hines: I actually did not expect to do as well as I did. I was very excited because we faced new competition on a course that many on the team dread. Our teams did very well, all things considered. We did not have our number four runner due to injuries, but our girls did the best they could on that day. I'm proud of every single person on the team. We faced new competition and they performed exceptionally well. Our team was closer than ever this year. I thank all the girls on the team for the wonderful season and their hard work. Most of all I thank God for blessing us with so much this year. He enabled us to accomplish all that we did this season.
scrunners: What were you thinking as you stepped to the line as your last regular season high school cross country meet?
hines: I wasn't as sad as I thought I would be. I knew my team was well prepared for the meet. I'm going to miss all my friends and teammates, but I'm still going to compete in college. I was thinking about the comraderie our team has and how much I was going to miss the fellowship rather than the competition.
scrunners: How did the race unfold?
hines: I did not go out as fast as I had at Lower State. I slowly worked my way so that I stayed on Stephanie Gammon's heels. The hills weren't as hard as they were at Coaches' Classic because we were well prepared. Basically, I tried to maintain my distance with Stephanie. She began to pull away between the second and third mile, but I tried to stay as close as possible. The second time we hit the hill, I had a bit more trouble. I slowed down some(actually it felt like I was walking up the hill), but then I heard our team and the parents shouting for me and Ashlyn. That gave me a boost to finish the season with a sprint. My time was much faster than I anticipated. I had an awesome race and I truly enjoyed it.
scrunners: Was there a time when you knew that you had the win?
hines: Not really. I was expecting Ashlyn (Ruczko) to pass me. I wanted her to do well because she had also worked hard during practices. I was ready to keel over when we hit the hill the last time. When I crested the hill, I felt much stronger and as I began to sprint, I knew I was going to be second or there was going to be a mad dash for the finish.
scrunners: As Chapin moved from AA to AAA, what were you expecting?
hines: Our team was well prepared. We practiced hard and really pulled together as a team and as friends. We hovered between first and third. We all secretly hoped for another repeat, but we did the best we could. We were all very happy for the teams that did win. We had a great year and next year...they may have a wary eye on us. We had more competition this year, but our team performed much better.
scrunners: How much rest do you take in between each season?
hines: Oh...Let's see...one day. When Cross Country season ends, Track begins. I begin training toward the next season. I just tackle miles; I don't do any speed workouts. Occasionally, I'll do road races.
scrunners: How will your training change as the track season rolls around?
hines: I'll just do a lot of miles. I plan on going to Erskine College. I am going to contact the coach to get a workout. From what I hear, I'll be doing lots of miles.
scrunners: What kind of training did you undergo this summer?
hines: Since I developed the stress fracture during Track, I wasn't able to do as much mileage as the previous season (500 miles). I actually started my mileage in the pool. I had to wear a waist float and run in the pool. For some reason, I got a lot of strange looks...Go figure. I rode the bike a lot. After I healed, I began to run more distance. I weight lift with a personal trainer throughout the year.
scrunners: How did this training change throughout the season and as the state meet came around?
hines: I did not do as much mileage as I had during the summer. Coach began to slowly tack on speed workouts about once or twice a week. Then we began to train on the hill notoriously named Dolly.
scrunners: What kind of goals did you set as an individual for the 2004 cross country season?
hines: I wanted to be the best on my team and possibly in AAA. I also wanted to break 19 minutes. I accomplished two of the three.
scrunners: What kind of team goals did Chapin set?
hines: Coach has the philosophy of looking at the process and not the finish. We worked toward beating Daniel and Greer. Most of all we worked on building up our team. We also ran many hill workouts so the killer hill wouldn't slow us down.
scrunners: Did these goals change at any time throughout the season, why?
hines: No, we were hoping to sneak up on Daniel and Greer because they were worried about each other. Even though we did not do this, the AAA division knows we're a factor.
scrunners: Do you run track also?
hines: Yes. I'm a running fiend.
scrunners: If so, what events would you like to run this?
hines: I do four events: 4x800m, 1600m, 800m, and 3200m. I run the first race and the last race. You get quite dizzy after running in so many circles.
scrunners: What kind of goals would you like to accomplish this season?
hines: I set several school records in the tenth grade, but I was unable to beat those last year due to my injury. This year, I want to beat those records and possibly win some medals at the state meet. I don't know what the competition in track is like, but I'm going to run the best I can. I hope our team will do better this year.
scrunners: Will you run any indoor meets? If so, which ones do you have in mind?
hines: No, I've never run any meets indoors before. Erskine doesn't have a track team, so I don't think I'll ever run an indoor meet.
scrunners: Does Chapin or you have any rivals?
hines: When we were in AA, Diana (Willard) and I were always racing each other. She's an awesome runner, and I have much respect towards her. This year, I'm not sure who we will be challenging. If it is the same as Cross Country, I imagine the distance girls will be facing Greer and Daniel.
scrunners: How did these rivals develop and when do they become most intense?
hines: The best thing about running is that rivalry really isn't that intense. Everyone is so nice and friendly. I enjoy the meets so much because we all have a good time without any animosity between teams. I haven't met many runners I don't like. Our rivals are the teams that we have close competition with. Races are intense, but the rivalry is reserved for the races. The intensity stays on the field.
scrunners: What kind of race strategy works best for you?
hines: It all depends on the race and competition. I generally run the competition. I try to go out hard, but increase the pace each lap or each mile. I don't resort to any dirty tricks. I focus on the person in front of me. When I catch up to them, I stay with them for a while. Eventually, I pick up the pace and pass them.
scrunners: Did you have a race strategy going into the state meet?
hines: I did not want to go out as hard as I did at Lower State. Basically, I wanted to stay on Stephanie's heels.
scrunners: If a race strategy changes how do you adapt?
hines: I try to keep a positive attitude, and not give up. Whatever comes, I deal with it.
scrunners: Does Chapin have a team tradition prior to competing? Explain.
hines: We always have varsity team dinners before Region, Lower State, and State. The guys and the girls get together. We talk and goof off (safely). We bond as a team. Also twice during the year we have team dinners where everyone comes. We stress the fact that each runner is equally important. We want to build unity and friendship. One thing I started was writing Bible verses on the back of my legs. Many of my teammates have absorbed this tradition. Hopefully they'll continue this when I move on to college.
scrunners: Have you ever been injured? Explain.
hines: Yes. I had a stress fracture in my tibia during track. You realize how important running is to you when you can't do what you love.
scrunners: How did you stay motivated during this time?
hines: I went to all the practices and all of the meets. I made sure that my teammates were ready mentally. I encouraged everyone. Being around the running helped me to stay positive.
scrunners: As a senior, would you like to run in college? Why?
hines: Very much. I enjoy competing and running. I met the Erskine team and all the girls are very nice. Not only do I enjoy the running, but I enjoy the friendships that result.
scrunners: Have you been talking to a lot of coaches?
hines: Yes.
scrunners: What do you talk to them about?
hines: My goals and my interests. Academics and how their teams are doing.
scrunners: What schools are you interested in attending?
hines: Erskine mostly, but I am looking at Wofford. Wingate is also a possibility.
scrunners: What do you look for in a coach and what do you expect a coach to look for in you?
hines: I model what a coach should be like after Coach LeGrand. I look for someone who is interested in the sport and his or her runners. I am more into a coach who will push me with hard practices. I imagine coaches want athletes who are dedicated to their sport and team unity.
scrunners: With new runners joining the sports all the time, what advice can you give them on training and racing?
hines: If you're going to run, get a slave driver (like my dad). I'm just kidding. You have to enjoy the sport you do. Talent is nothing without heart. Don't do the sport for your parents or for your coach; do it for God and for yourself. Practice may be hard, but it pays off at the meets.
scrunners: What would you say is the most prestigious meet you have competed in?
hines: Probably state. Furman was extremely big and colleges were there.
scrunners: How did you fare?
hines: At Furman, I did better than years before. I think coaches saw that.
scrunners: If there is one thing in the world you could do what would it be and why?
hines: That's a tough question. I would probably have to say that I would want to be a Christian 100% of the time and inspire others to follow Christ.